Streaming your first game live is a big moment. Whether you’re going live on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming, hitting that “Start Streaming” button for the first time is both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’re putting yourself out there—not just as a gamer, but as a host, entertainer, and maybe even a future content creator.
Here’s what it was like streaming my first game https://www.dekreekrug.nl/ live—and what I learned from the experience.
The Build-Up
Before I even went live, there was a lot of preparation. Setting up the stream layout, testing my mic and webcam, choosing the right overlays, and picking which game to play took way longer than I expected. I chose a game I was comfortable with—one I knew well so I could focus more on chatting and less on trying to figure things out mid-stream.
I used OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), which is free and highly customizable. After some YouTube tutorials and test recordings, I finally felt ready to go live.
The Nerves Hit Hard
The moment I went live, I felt a weird mix of adrenaline and anxiety. Even though no one was watching at first, the idea that someone could drop in at any time made me super aware of everything I was doing. Was I talking enough? Was my mic okay? Did I look too nervous? It took about 15 minutes before I started to relax and just focus on the game.
The First Viewers
Seeing that first viewer join was surreal. I wasn’t sure what to say, but I welcomed them, tried not to sound awkward, and kept playing. When someone actually chatted and said “hey,” it felt like a milestone. I responded, asked them what games they liked, and tried to keep the conversation going. That interaction made the whole stream feel more real and less like I was talking to myself.
Things I Learned Quickly
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Always talk, even if no one is watching yet. It keeps the stream alive and helps when someone joins—they don’t enter silence.
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Be yourself. People connect with genuine personalities, not forced energy.
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Don’t focus on viewers too much. Watching the number go up and down can be discouraging. Just play and enjoy.
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Have alerts ready. A simple follower notification makes the stream feel more professional and keeps you motivated.
After the Stream
Once I ended the stream, I felt proud. It wasn’t perfect, but I did it. I reviewed the footage, noted what I could improve (better lighting, less background noise), and immediately started thinking about the next one. Every streamer starts somewhere, and this was my start.
Conclusion
Streaming your first game live is a major step. You learn a lot in just one session—not just about the technical stuff, but about staying calm, engaging with others, and having fun while sharing what you love. Everyone starts with zero viewers, but that first stream lays the foundation for everything that follows. If you’re thinking about going live—do it. The hardest part is starting.